Blason d’Issan, the second wine of Chateau d’Issan, was introduced from 1995 onwards to enable selection amongst our vines growing in the Margaux appellation area. Fruit from the youngest vines is used to produce this wine, which respects the identity of its terroir, while offering a tasty round fruitiness, which can be enjoyed earlier. Blason d’Issan is also aged in barrels for 14 to 16 months, one third of which are new. Annual production is around 120,000 bottles.
The estate’s history dates back to the 1152 when the wine was officially served at the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Henry II, the beginning of a special relationship between Bordeaux and England. The d’Essenault family owned the estate over five generations and rebuilt the existing château at the end of the 16th century. Surrounded by a moat, it is one of the oldest châteaux in the region and is frequently described as the most romantic in the Médoc.
In 1945 the Cruse family – already established in the Médoc for more than 150 years – purchased the property. Today Emmanuel Cruse runs the estate with the Lorenzetti family (owners of Chx Pédesclaux and Ladouys). They own 44 hectares in Margaux, planted with 62 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 38 percent Merlot. The wine spends between 16 and 18 months in oak (around 50 percent new).
The 2016 Blason d’Issan is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 60% Merlot matured in 35% new oak.
It is fresh and vivid on the nose with blackberry fruit and earthy autumn leaf aromas. The palate is medium-bodied wine and shows sweet cherry, cassis, plums and earth with an undercurrent of liquorice, bay leaves and tobacco. Nicely integrating fine grained tannins with good concentration and length. Drinking range: 2022 – 2030.
